Foot-controlled directional light switch



Aug. 8, 1939. w s, OVERLY 2,169,161

FOOT CONTROLLED DIRECTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH Filed Jan. 26, 1937 TfZZer ffverlg,

INVENTOF! AWORN EYS Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEFOOT-CONTROLLEDI DIR-ECTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH 1 Claim.

This invention relates to foot controlled directional signal switchesand has for an object to provide a switch of this type which will be soconstructed as to be conveniently located near the bottom of theaccelerator pedal so that the driver may simply shift his heel to theright or to the left to move the switch to circuit closing position forenergizing respectively the right or the left directional signal light.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will beformed of a few simple strong and durable parts, which will beinexpensive to manufacture and install and which will not easily get outof order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modifications may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through a switch constructed inaccordance with the invention in applied position adjacent to the bottomof an accelerator pedal.

Figure 2 is a top` plan view of the switch.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the switch.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate similar parts in the various views, I0 designates the iioorboard of an automobile and II designates the ac-V celerator pedal, theseparts being conventional.

In carrying out the invention a base I2 of insulating material isprovided on opposite sides of its central portion with recessed portionsI3 and I4 upon the bottom of which are located respective conductorstrips I5 and I6 terminating in switch contact points I1 and I 8.

A metal top plate I9 of resilient material, and of the general shapeshown in Figure 2, is secured at its center to the center of the base bymeans of a binding post 20. The ends of the plate overlie the conductorstrips I5 and I6 and are provided respectively with contact points 2|and 22 adapted to respectively engage the underneath contact points I'Iand I8 when the top plate is deformed downwardly by pressure of thedrivers foot to the right or left of the accelerator pedal I I, andclose respective circuits to the right or left directional signal lamps23 and 24.

A binding post 25 is connected to one end of the (Cl. 20D- 59) conductorstrip I5 and secures the strip in place. A conductor wire 26 isconnected to the binding post and is connected to the right turn signallamp 23. Likewise a binding post 21 secures one end of the conductorstrip I6 of the base and to this binding post is secured a conductorwire 2G which is connected to the left turn signal lamp 2li. A conductorWire 29 is connected to the center binding post 20 and to the battery30.

The base is provided at the ends with perforalo tions 3l to receiveattaching screws 32 which may be advanced into the floor board I0 onopposite sides of a recess 33 formed adjacent to the bottom of theaccelerator pedal to receive the base I 2.

In operation when the driver intends to make a l5 right turn the heel isshifted to the right without removing the foot from the acceleratorpedal to depress the top plate I9 and move the contact point 2I intocircuit closing position with the contact point II. Should the driverintend to 20 make a left turn the heel is shifted to the left withoutremoving the foot from the accelerator pedal to depress the top plate I9to move the contact point 22 into circuit closing position with thecontact point I8. In either case current will low from the batterythrough the center binding post 20, top plate I9, and contact pointswhich are in circuit closing position, to the respective turn signallamp.

From the above description it is thought that 30 the construction andoperation of the invention will be fully understood without furtherexplanation.

What is claimed is.

A switch of the class described comprising a base formed of a block ofinsulating material provided in the top face on opposite sides of itscen tral portion with recesses, conductor strips on the bottom of therecesses, upstanding contact points on the outer ends of the strips,binding posts en- .m gaged with the inner ends of the strips andprojecting through the bottom of the base, for securing the strips tothe base, a spring metal plate forming a combined circuit closer andcover for the open topsy of said recesses, said plate being 45 adaptedto be deformed at the ends downwardly into said recesses, dependingcontact points on the ends of said plate confronting the iirst namedContact points, and a binding post engaged. through the center of theplate and projecting to through the bottom of the base between the iirstnemed binding post for securing the plate to the base.

WALTER S. OVERLY.

